Sprinkler system



June 16, 1925. 1,542,462

- A. J. LOEPSINGER SPRINKLER SYSTEM Filed Oct. 14. 1922 Arron/15 Patented June 16, 1925.

1 OFFICE.

ALBERT J. nonnsmenn, or raovmnncnnnonn' ISJZANDFASSIGNOR To GE ERA FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

' SPRINKLER SYSTEM.

I Application-*filede October-14,1922. SerialVNd; 594,473.

To; all at 7mm it may: concern Be it known that I, *ALBER'D J. Lonrsmonn, a citizen. of the 'Un'ited StateaX'esid-ing at Providence, in the county ofProvidence and State "of Rhode Island, have invented cere tain new and useful Improvements 'in. Sprinkler Systems," of-which the following is a specitication.

This invent'ionrelates to improvements in sprinkler: systems for fireextinguishing appar'atus: More particularly it relates to sprinkler systems adapted to distribute and automatically todischarlge a fire extinguish ing-agent, for which Water is herein used as r a types The inventionis herein described and illustrated as it has been developed for application on shipboard and in similar places where thenau-tomatic sprinkler sys tems hitherto known are objectionable because: of the-danger of the-system being set into operation, or made'to leak with damaging results, by a sprinkler head somewhere in the system'being knocked oil: 'or distorted. In sprinkler ssystemsf-asmat' present consti tuted, the distribution system is filled, either with wateror withair; andincase of accidental damage to the sprinkler-head, the waterfiows out instantly-if it be a "wet system; or, it it 'be a dry system, the airfiows out, and indueprocess of time reducesthe pressure so that the"dry pipevalve trips and water 'flOWS'OUl], in either case with possibility of doing considerabledamageto cargo; but no way has been knowutoavoid this in an automatic system without int-roduoing an equal orgreater danger; andso it has been customary to have a parallel sys' tem of?! thermostats which notify the engineer,who then by hand turns WVELlZBl into the particular branch line where the ffire is; Obviously such a system, which depends on the action of an intermediary electrical system and a thermostat'and the hand operated siqiply i'rom somecentral point afterihe signal of thethermostafihas been received, is lacking in many of the advantages of an automatic sprinkler system.

It is the object-of the present "invention to provide a completely automatic sprinkler system which will unfailingly operate in case of a fire in the region of a sprinkler heady but which :will not operate it thesprinkler head is accidentallyopened as by a "blow which knocks the head' off of the-system-or seriously distorts it, and which will not leak \Vlth' dam-aging"results"even in the case of such an accident. 7 Although developed with this purpose particularly in mind, the apparatus involved is suitable in other con-nections, so thatithe:patenitis'notto be lirnited to this partieular use, exceptas limitations m tl-ie'appended' claims require, and it'is intended that the patent'shall cover by suitable 1 expression' in" the appended claims whateverdeatures of patentable noveltv exist in the invention disclosed. t

- The. objects of the invention are accomplished-by providing a dry pipe system hav ing a valve separating the supply of water or other fire extinguishing agent from the distribution systemsiiThe'valve is illustrated asv being of the difierential type, although it-isnotnecessarily sos Among valves of that type it :is novel: in thatthe pressure of the :supply' of water holds the'valve closed, beingvcommunicated through a restricted passage'to an auxiliarybody of water pressin'g' .011 the large or differential clapper, so long" as conditions are set ready foraction; and in that itsinteimediatechamber is open to-the-distribution system; and in that "the latter filled with air,-no'r'1nally "at a low pressure,"whicl1 may fal'l'to any degree, as bytherknocking off of 'a' sprinkler head, without tripping'the'valve; Sprinkler heads o f'a peculiartype are provided, in which the when discharging normally strikes a target whereby an impulse is communicated to and actuatesthe dry pipe valve. The invention-comprises a suitable actuator of novel type, by which the'fluid pressure on the diffei'ential clapperis suddenly released, by the openi-ng of adrain therefrom greater than the restricted" opening thereinto from the'supplyr Thereuponthe valve opens hecause-the direct pressure of the supply on the'valve clapper ofthe valve is no longer overbalanced; The system comprises a doubledrypipe line, one line beingi'or' distribution and containing air at low pres suregfthe other line being-small tubing for valve actuation, and containing air at atmospheric'pressure; and both being closed but adapted.automatically to open in case of a :fire at the sprinkler head, while re maining closed-elsewhere; and adapted not to" open in fsucha-inanner as to transmit a valve-actuating impulse except in case of fire.

To this end the actuating portion of the apparatus is automatically selective, as in case of leakage from the opening or breaking off or" the sprinkler head, and is not operated by any but a normal opening of the sprinkler head with the fluid jet discharge thereof aimed to hit the cooperating opening as a target. This target opening may be located in the yoke of the sprinkler which may be tubular to form a part of the valveactuating system. In case of leakage or removal of a head by accident, air in the pipes flows out harmlessly, but the water supply valve remains closed. An ordinary pressure indicator, with alarm if desired, gives immediatenotice.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of fragments of a sprinkler system embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a detail showing in elevation and in medial section the dry pipe valve of F i ure 1;

igure 3 is a side elevation in medial section through one of the automatic sprinklers on a large scale; and

Figure 4 is an end elevation of a part of the same in medial section.

Referring to the drawings, indicates a pipe leading from a supply of water under pressure into the casing 11 of a dry pipe valve, which in turn is connected with a casing 12, containing apparatus for actuating the dry pipe valve, and with the water distribution system 13 leading to automatic sprinklers, one of which is shown at 14. Auxiliary to this is a system of small diameter piping 15 leading from the sprinklers back to the actuator for tripping the dry pipe valve. The dry pipe valve, which may be of any suitable type, is herein illustrated as being a difierential valve of well known type which is particularly well adapted for combination with the other elements of the system. This is represented as being made with a water clapper 21 and another clapper 22 herein called the difierential clapper, having separate seats, between which is an intermediate chamber which in the present instance is permanently connected with the distribution system 13 and has a discharge orifice thereto large enough to convey the full flow of water thereto. The differential clapper occupies the general position and arrangement of the air clapper in differential valves previously known, and as illu trated is designed of such diameter and with such leverage that it maintains the water cl apper closed whenever the unbalanced closing pressure on it is one-half or more than half of the unbalanced opening pressure on the water clapper. If there were no pressure in the intermediate chamber 25, this would mean that a ratio of 2 to l for plessure in the water space 23 to pressure in the differential space 24 must exist before the valve would open'.

When set for normal operation, this intermediate space 25 contains air under a low pressure, say for example, ten pounds, which extends through the distribution system 13 which also is filled with air. The water side 23 of the clapper 21 has water at whatever pressure is provided, for example, at sixty pounds per square inch, and the other side of the differential 24 contains water at the same pressure, which is supplied and maintained by a by-pass connection 27. A connection 28 from the differential valve chamber 24 to the actuator chamber 12 permits the same pressure to extend into the actuator chamber. The by-pass 27 contains a restriction 29 which may take any convenient form, and which is illustrated as a section set in the middle of the pipe 27 having a passage which may, for example, be in diameter.

Within the actuator is the entrance 30 of a drain, preferably into the intermediate chamber 25 although, if desired, it may vent to atmosphere, of considerably larger diameter than the restriction 29, for example, 1 to which is normally held closed by a valve pivoted at 34, and having projecting end in position to be hit and tripped by the short end of a lever 36 whose long end 38 is heavily weighted and is held raised by a latch 40 in such position that when the latch is released the weight 38 falls, throwing up the short end 36 of the lever, and thus knocking open the valve 32 and so opening a drain to atmosphere or other region of lower pressure for the contents of the chamber.

the restraining side of the dry pipe valve, to-wit: in chambers 24 and 12, will fall rapidly when the drain 30 is opened, the fall being practically instantaneous if these chambers are filled with water which is incompressible, and approximating instan taneity if they are filled with air, or partly with air. When such a fall occurs, the pressure in chamber 24, which has been operating to restrain the opening of water clapper 21, and which will restrain it under the 1 to 1 conditions assumed, and so long as it re mains at least half as great as the water pressure, immediately falls to less than half, so that the Vflhe 21, 22 swings open. This action is aided, of course, by the air pressure in the distribution system acting in space 25, which acts ditferentially to help open the valve.

The distribution system may be of any suitable arrangement provided at intervals with automatic sprinklers 14. The sprinkler illustrated in detail in Figures 3 and 4 has features of a well known type in which the water or air seeking to escape from the interior of its base is restrained By reason of the, greater size of the drain 30, the pressure on i Min FIG ing'cle'ared-away, will strike intotheiopentheusual W-ater spreader-55. 'Theyoke' 54 is tubular, as seen at 54- 'in Figures 3 and Pand is arranged 'at its ends 56 for connection with the; auxiliary piping system 15, which system is continuous through the tube of the yoke Stand has an? opening thereof and facing fltoward" the discharge g'passa'ge 50" of the sprinkl'er baser These parts: are so related that a-fluidissuing in jet form from the base 50 ofthe sprinkler, I

-erat1on;-,-ythe nozzle from which the et of c air issues at the sprinkler head nust be in the valve and diaphragm and' the strntjbe ing 58; and thus the fluidissiiing from the sprinkler is projectedin greater or less part into the auxiliaryypiping system 54, 56 and 15. When the sprinkler is normally setfor use, thelentranee opening 58 is olosed Joya valve 59 which may be held :by the' same 1 strut 53"whioh holds--the-ivalve 52 closing Y base or -disohargeori-fice the sprinkler but when the sprinkler goes into act-ion ina nor-ma l way this vali'eis cleared awav by the fusing and dissolution ofithe strut; If it should happen that thelparts i do'not olear themselves promptly, that result is assured the presenoef of ar rfin 57 i set .eccentr-ic'ally on the: valve-59v so that "when in tlrislipositionris eiigaged with thethe valve will beknocked away byithe 1111-" balanced impact I of the jet of iflnid' upon it. i I "The auxiliary piping system; 15," which is preferably of smallwdiameter; extendsito the 1 region of the dry pipe valve, Where it runs to i one side of \a diaphragm 160 which normally maybeqpressed towardit by a stem 61 inipelleel by adspiral springfiQ, ,onxothenwconwenienti neans-e of known strength, and? tail of a ilatch i'lever 6 45 Whose-other enduis the latch: 40,; the lever itself fibeingeapivoted at 63in azfiexible:ruhberazstopper; These pants are" assembled, so that 1 when the. .dia-

, phragm: ii-s shiftedr'irom its i=l'lustratedIposition; wherefit is bulged iupwand -by -the spring; 62, and isfpushedcdowlrward hy any imipulseaof :air i reaching-sit through :the anxil iairyapieping 15., the outside taiil of thez' la'tchlever" 64L is swung downward, hitting-they latch and thus releasing the: Weight av-hiclisfaillsg.abnd'by its lever throws up the svalve's32, ;opening1sthe drain 30.- hnmedi-- rately, relaxation offpressure on theqlarger .side' of-jthe retry" pipe valtzeiollows'g the water pressure in :the .zsuppl y' throws that k wvalve open; and" water rushes" from: the:

"supply 1:10., 23 throughxintermediatesoham- V hen-25, (into "the distribution system'f13'and I c tcharging: This Sis ithe normal to the particular sprinkler 14 *whioh-is: dis operation; as; anautomatic fire-tentinguisher. a u

@Thevautonmtic; s e'eurity' of 'lathefsystem} against being set ofi'so asto dischargewater ii 'hen'there isnot a fire resultsfrom the fact that the mere escape of air from the dis iSuo hi'escapeamerely redueespressure in the intermediatefchamber 25; and it is immaterial iii-apparatus, of this inventionwhether -tl1e;.pressurevfallsslowly 1' apid y, 5 "58 on the interiorof" the yoke at the'crest V V :gin of safetyby Whieh theiWater clapper -2l ;is pressed upon its seat by thedifterential 'clapper22, s

long as itxfalls it merelyincreases the mar- In orde that there should 7 he v normal ,o p-

cause leakage-from the sprinkler head, ithoutt-he valve 52; being knocked Out, the pre sence :of the valve body prevents the jet from striking theiarget hole fig sendingitofi.

:sidewise; and also the presence of the valve 5.9 is an 7 additional o safe-rgnard, preventing the jet" from entering even if it should strike; .11 ytlievwhole. head is knocked .05, as sometimes happens, the issuing jet. from the Wide open nozzle not get under Way until the target lopening 58 e tirely out of itsispath, so that noi npulse-is transinitted'to thewalye In either. case, ,hoW-

ever, anordinary pressure; gauge (not illustrated) son, the distribution system will give Warning by showing the reduction of pressure. 5 V

In operation of the panticulaiyembodiment ofitiheinventionvtshown ini he drawings,-the d y p pe va ve, wh set,- i held 1 Sed bythegreater -t talt p essure of t supply water. itsil-arge than: on; its small ,e1apper,,,and ilL-eOntinue s0; ,closed. until this water; pressure idilfiienential is upset by reduction oftpressure on the larger clapper. The mere zeseape nil-a r immthe sprinkler system and intermediate chamber, as thrqugh a bent or broken sprinkler head, will not alone cause; the-'valtve-to open; but there :IIlllSt also ;be an iii grpact of the jet of air from the sprinkler nezzlea pon its target opening '58 w itlnconsequjent transmittal of an operating sign lwto the d y p p lve, th g the auxiliarypipingesystem ,54, 56, 15.

hen asnonmahopemng pf aysprinkleroccurs, asupon the melting of the stnut 53 followed by-t e i lea i g away lo the a v 162. an ,9, su han imp w 0 33, fa it jet enters the opening 58 and sets up a pressure impulse .mhichj is transmitted by the air the sprinkler weighted lever 36. This lever, nowfree, is swung about its pivot by the weight 38, until its short arm knocks thevalve 32 from its seat, thereby clearing the open dram from the actuator chamber 12 to the intermediate chamber 25. Water thereupon flows throughthe open drain faster than it can enter the actuator chamber through the pipe 27, because of the restriction 29. As a result the pressure on the larger or differential clapper 22 rapidly diminishes in intensity until its total pressure is less than the pressure on the water clapper 21, where- ;upon the latter is lifted and the water supply rushes through the intermediate chamber intothe distribution piping and thence to the open sprinkler heads, to be discharged.

The apparatus thus described may be said in broad terms to disclose means for transmitting, from a sprinkler head to the dry pipe valve actuating device, a signal showring that a target has been touched by the jet from the sprinkler head. Obviously the invention is not limited to the particular signalling means, here illustrated as means for receiving and transmitting a puif of.

air through a tube to the dry pipevalve; nor to the particular type of actuator here illustrated, in which a sudden release of water pressure is effected by receipt of an air impulse from the operating sprinkler head, nor is it limited to differential valves, or to operation by causing a release ofwater pressure, for other types of dry pipe valves and methods of releasing them are known which might be actuated by the receipt of an operating signal resulting from the touch- .ing of the target by the sprinkler jet.

I claim as my invention:

'1. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having jet discharging sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means, a supply valve adapted to be opened automatically;

. a target associated with each sprinkler; andopening of a sprinkler, is eflective to open said valve.

3. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having jet -discharging sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means, a supply valve adapted to remain closed notwithsprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means, a supply valve adapted to remain closed notwithstanding diminution of pressure in the distributing system, said valve being adaptedto be opened auto matically; .and means independent of said piping to communicate operatively to the supply valve an impulse from the normal discharge of a sprinkler head, thereby to effect said automatic opening.

- 5. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means, a supply valve adapted to remain closed notwithstanding diminution of pressure in the distributing system,

saidvalve being adapted to be opened automatically; and means including a tubular connection from each sprinkler head to the supply valve, adapted to receive a jet normally discharged from such sprinkler head and'to transmit the impulse thereof to the supply valve, thereby to open it.

6. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means, a supply valve. adapted to remain closed notwithstanding diminution of pressure in the distributing system, said valve being adapted to be opened automatically; and means comprising a line of tubing extending past the sprinklers in the system to the region of the supply valve and normally closed at each sprinkler, but adapted to be opened by the normal thermally controlled discharge action of the sprinkler; and means whereby the impulse thus transmitted effects opening of the supply valve.

7. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having a fluid under pressure and sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means, a supply valve therefor adapted to be opened automatically, arranged and adapted to remain closed notwithstanding diminution of pressure in the distributing system; and communication means independent of the distributing system to efi'iect said automatic opening upon the normal opening of a sprinkler.

8. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means; a supply valve therefor adapted to be held closed by the supply pressure; communication means from the sprinklers to thesupply valve, independent gum-sea of-the distribution system and means where the normalopening ofthe sprinkler head impresses thereon an impulse which: effects said automatic opening of the supply valve:

v 9. A 'fiI'e XtlDgLllS hBI sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having sprinklers with thermally; responsive discharge control means; a a supply valve and an actuator therefor adapted to operate upon being subjected to: 'pressure 1 a "fluid under pressure in the distribution piping,- i and means for conveying pressure to said actu ator from the discharge of 'said'flu'idupon the-no-rmal'opening'of a sprinkler.-*

110; A fire extinguisher j s'pri kler: system comprising? disti'ibution piping hav'ing sprinklers With-thermally responsive dischargecontr'ol' means a supply v valve there for'a-dapted to be elosedby the supply pres the; supply ufiuitl communicates f throughfa restricted openingwiththelargericl'apper of the 1 valve; opposing: T openirig] oft the valve combined with' a less restricted drain from said opposing body of fluid; andm'ea ris atur ated'by normal operation of a sprinkler head to open the saidfdraih V l'ls' A 1 fire l eitin'gliisher sprinkler 1 system comprising *distribution piping :hating sprinklers': with thermally responsive I disa charge eontrol niea'ns as'upp'ly' valve therefor'adapted to be blosed by the supply pr'essure comprising fa-differential "valve in: which the asupply fluid ttommunicates through a =opening -ivith" the ;larger" clapper of the valve, opposing op'ehingof' the valve; :said distributing system beingopen'. to i'and siupplied through the 1 intermediate I chamber -of said valve and inea'ns independent of pressure I in ether intenhedi ate chamber to -opn't'hesupply vlrlve upon the normal'opeli- 'ingcfasprinkler header y r J 12; 1 "fire extinguisher sprinkler :.-syswm comprising distribution piping! sprinklers with thermally responsive d scharge contror means a supply'valve there- E for adapted to closed by the supply i presi sure tomprrising a differential valve rin which thesuppily fluid communicates- 'through a restricted opening withthe' larger clapper of the ;valve,- opposing opening; of the valve; said" distributing system being open fto and supplied through the intermediate cha'riiber of valvejan'd =memns to: relieve; the; pres- 1 sure on said opposing'elapper upon'th'e nornra-l'openiirg ofasprinkler heads BWA firen'extin isher sprinkler system comprising. 'distri "uti'on piping having sprinklers 'withg thermally responsive" discharge control means; a supply valve; -a pressure-chamber; fluid pressure in'v'vhlch i normally holds the supply valve 'olosed mant as-(1mg to? relieveithefi pressure u-r said rtstraining means for the said respiretad bym l sure 'compris'ing a differential valve in: which opening of a sprinkler to release said' re= straining means; by which release" the pres sure becomes relieved and p the 'supp'ly 'valve may open. i I 14. A fireextinguisher sprinkler system. comprising distribution piping having sprinklers iWlth thermally responsive 'dis-' charge controlmeansy a su ply valve and means which normally ho ds the supply valve closed; nieansadaptedto be actuated by a ipulsationkto releasethe supp-1y valve; and means other than the distribution pip ing adaptedto receive and transmit thereto a pulsation resulting from normal opening of a sprinkler. 7

-15. distribution system With sprinklers and a supply valv'e 'ineanswhereby the sup plywalve is normally held closed; control means for releasing it; a latchrestraining said control mean's a diaphragm" connected with said latch; and communication means arranged along the distributions'ystem and adapted to" convey a pressure impulse to "said diaphragm upon normal openingof a sprinkler, for causiiig release of said lateh and consequent opening of the supply valve. l6. A distribution system having fluid under pressure therein, with sprinklers and a difierential supply valve; "a chamber separate from the distribution system, 95 adapted to contain fluid whosepressure on theklarger. clapper-of said valve maintains it closed; and means whereby normal discharge o'f the 'flriidin the distribution system vents said fluid which is pressing on the larger clapper or the differential valve;

-17. A distribution system"having 'sprinklers and a "differential supply valve held closed by p ressure" oii' the larger "clapper; means to' relieve'said pressure on the larger clapper to'eflect its opening,- comprising a vent therefor and means responsive to a pressure pulse to openthe vent.

18.--"A distribution system Vhaving'sprinklers and a difierential supply valve held closed bypressure :on its larger clapped,- the distribution system being connected with the intermediate chamber of the supply valve, whereby mere dimiiiution of pressure in the distribution system doesnot release the supply valve; and meansarranged to coact with the normal sprinkler discharge from the distribution system .to release the pressure 'on the largerclapper of the supply'valve. a I 1 19. A distribution system having a sup ply valve arranged to be held closed nor-v --mally; achamber having a movable Wall andzc'onnections adapted to release said holding of the supply valve; the said cha-Inber normallyrontaining air at low pressure; and there being air at'higher pressure in-the distribution'system; and connections whereby a discharge: of airoecurring nort il strihttiessy e a sprinkler raises theair pressure in'said chamber thereby moving said wall to release the supply valve.

20. A distribution system with sprinklers anda supply valve; means whereby the supply valve-is normally held closed; control means for releasing it; a trigger restraining said control means; means for moving said trigger adapted to be actuated by an impulse; and communication means arranged along the distribution system and adapted to convey an actuating impulse to said trigger resulting from the normal opening of a sprinkler in the distribution system.

21. A distribution system with sprinklers and a supply valve; means including a local chamber containing fluid under pressure whereby the supply valve is normallyheld closed; control means for releasing said fluid from the local chamber; and communication means arranged along the distribution system and adapted to convey an actuating impulse to said control means resulting from the normal opening of a sprinkler in the distribution system.

22. A distribution system with sprinklers and a differential supply valve; a local chamber containing fluid under pressure whereby the supply valve is normally held closed; said chamber having a supply through a restricted opening normally maintaining the pressure and having a less restricted drain which releases the fluid more quickly than the restricted opening can supply it; and means actuated by impulse from normal discharge of a sprinkler, for opening said drain.

23. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping; a supply valve therefor; a sprinkler attached thereto having thermally responsive discharge con trol means; means to receive and transmit an impulse caused by its normal opening; and means responsive to said impulse whereby the said supply valve is actuated;

said impulse receiving means being adapted to be displaced by a distortion of the shape of the sprinkler, so as not-to receive an impulse from a distorted sprinkler.

24. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping; a supply valve therefor; a sprinkler attached thereto having thermally responsive discharge control means and having a tubular yoke with opening in alignment with the nozzle of the sprinkler, whereby a jet issuing from the nozzle may impress an impulse within said yoke; transmitting means; and means responsive to said impulse for actuating the supply valve. 25. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping; a supply valve therefor; a sprinkler attached thereto having thermally responsive discharge control means and having a tubular yoke with opening in alignment with the nozzle of the sprinkler, said yoke being normally closed by the said control means, and adapted to be opened by the removal of said control means, whereby the jet from the nozzle may enter its said opening and cause a pressure impulse in the yoke; transmission means; and means responsive to said impulse for actuating the supply valve 26. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping; a supply valve therefor; a sprinkler attached thereto having thermally responsive discharge control means and having an auxiliary passage with a hole in alignment with its nozzle and normally closed by its'said control means, and adapted to be opened by the removal of said control 'means, whereby the jet from the nozzle may enter the said hole and produce a'pressure impulse; and means for transmitting said impulse to cause opening of said supply valve.

27. A fire extinguisher sprinklersystem comprising distribution piping; a supply valve therefor; a sprinkler attached-thereto having thermally responsive discharge means and comprising a tubular yoke having an entrance in alignment with the discharge orifice; a. valve normally closing said entrance and having :a vane in position to be struck by a jet issuing from said orifice, whereby the valve is dislodged, and the entranceopened, and the jet creates a pressure impulse in the yoke; and'means for transmitting said impulse to cause actuation of the supply valve.

28. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping; a supply valve therefor; actuating apparatus for control of said supply valve; sprinklers attached to said piping, said sprinklers including means for receiving and transmitting the impulse caused by normal sprinkler'discharge of fluid; and means for transmitting said impulse to said actuating apparatus, whereby the latter opens said supply valve.

29. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising a dry pipe valve; an actuator therefor; sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means; and a double system of piping connected to said sprinklers,through one of which systems the fire extinguishing liquid may be transmitted from the dry pipe valve to thesprinklers, and through the other-of whicha pressure impulse may be transmitted to the actuator to cause opening of said valve; thesaid sprinklers being adapted .to receive and transmit said impulse upon normal discharge.

30. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping having sprinklers with thermally responsive discharge control means; a supply valve; an actuator therefor; and. an auxiliary System of piping connecting said actuator and said sprinklers; there being a target associated with each sprinkler and constituting an inlet to said auxiliary piping, whereby upon normal discharge of a sprinkler a pressure impulse enters said inlet and is transmitted by said auxiliary piping to said actuator, to effect opening of the supply valve.

31. A fire extinguisher sprinkler system comprising distribution piping With sprinklers; a. supply valve; an actuator therefor; and an auxiliary system of piping connecting said actuator and said sprinklers; said sprinklers having a discharge opening for said dlstrlbutlon piplng, and havlng an 1nlet opening to sald auxiliary piping; a thermally responsive strut closing both openings and adapted upon displacement to open both openings, whereupon the flow from said discharge opening causes an impulse to enter said inlet opening and traverse said auxiliary piping to the actuator, thereby effecting opening of the supply valve.

Signed at Providence, Rhode Island, this thirteenth day of October, 1922.

ALBERT J. LOEPSINGER. 

